Mayan Language Institute

Mayan Language Institute – 2018

The Mayan Language Institute is an intensive 6-week summer language immersion program in K’iche’ Maya and Kaqchikel Maya. Students study with both U.S. faculty an native speakers. In addition to language study, students participate in cultural activities, lectures, discussions, and excursions. Undergraduate students may study one of the languages at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced level. Graduate students must be prepared to study at the intermediate or advanced level.

With more than 1.5 million K’iche’ and Kaqchikel speakers in Guatemala, the goal of the institute is to help students develop and advance proficiency in their chosen language and to gain a better understanding of the cultural and political contexts that have affected the historical development and preservation of the language. Efforts to protect these languages are playing a pivotal role in the Mayan struggle to regain control over their political and cultural destiny. Students pursuing K’iche’ Maya will spend six weeks in Nahualá. Students pursuing Kaqchikel Maya will spend their six weeks in Antigua. All students are placed with local families for home-stays. Students should be flexible and prepared for living conditions in Guatemala. Students will receive 6 credits from Tulane University (3 credits for language course and 3 credits for culture course). Full class attendance is required.

Program Eligibility
Student applicants must be in good academic standing and have at least a current cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Non-Tulane students are welcome to apply, but should confirm with their home university that their credits will transfer. Students should have some level of Spanish proficiency; previous study in either Kaqchikel or K’iche’ is required for intermediate or advanced coursework. Students should be flexible and prepared for living conditions in Guatemala.

Tuition/Fees
This course meets all requirements for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships; students are encouraged to apply to their home institution for summer FLAS Fellowship support. Tuition for students on FLAS Fellowships is $5,000. Eligible graduate students at other universities may apply to the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, the University of Texas at Austin, Tulane University and/or the University of New Mexico for Summer FLAS Fellowship support, but priority for FLAS awards will be given to students enrolled at these awarding institutions. If you plan to apply for a FLAS Fellowship, please remember that the FLAS application is due January 15, 2018.

In addition to tuition, all students must pay a program fee. The program fee covers local accommodations (including three meals/day, excluding Sundays, with the home-stay family) and class excursions. In addition to the travel costs mentioned below in “Travel and Arrangements,” certain other costs are not included in the program tuition or program fee, such as laundry, snacks, souvenirs, passport/visa fees, vaccinations, et cetera. For up-to-date information on the Program Cost, please click here.

Travel and Arrangements
Students are responsible for their own travel and airfare to Guatemala as well as local transportation. Program fees include local transportation for programmed excursions and activities.

Application and Enrollment
Click here for more information and for application forms. A $50 application fee is required. Applications are due March 23, 2018. Enrollment is limited, so students should apply early.

If you plan to apply for a FLAS Fellowship, please remember that the FLAS application is due January 15, 2018. Note that the fellowship application and the program application are separate applications.